As you all know by now, I don't own fairy tail or any of it's characters.
Levy was curled up on the couch, her feet resting in Gajeel's lap. She smiled when he snored lightly and shifted position, it felt like she was sharing this moment with a big cuddly bear. Levy turned her attention back to her book on pregnancy. She was finally into her second trimester at fourteen weeks. It was crazy how small the little thing was inside of her right now, the size of a lemon, adorable! She couldn't believe how it would grow so much bigger! Some poor women had babies up to fourteen pounds, surely that wouldn't happen to her though. Levy looked again at the bear of a man at the end of the couch again and frowned. She wondered how big of a baby Gajeel was?
Only time would tell of course, she wasn't even halfway through yet. She had until mid October to worry about this. There was no reason to freak out about it now, right? But what if it was a large baby? How would she get a large baby out of her?
She pulled all her limbs in suddenly, exclaiming, "Oh my god!"
Gajeel woke with a start, leaping from the couch ready to attack, "What? What is it?"
"Gajeel! What if this baby is your size? How will I get a baby your size out of me?" she cried.
Gajeel breathed a sigh of relief and fell back on the couch, "Is that all? You scared the hell out of me shrimp!"
Levy pouted and gave him a small kick, "What do you mean is that all? You aren't the one who's going to have to push a Redfox baby out of your nether regions!"
Gajeel threw his head back and laughed loudly, "First off, I'm pretty sure they come out baby sized, not grown man sized, and secondly, with hips like yours I don't think you'd have trouble giving birth to any baby, no matter what the size."
Levy gave him a furious look and started kicking him repeatedly, "Don't call me fat asshole, I'm pregnant!"
Gajeel held up his hands in a defensive posture, a large grin still on his face, "I didn't say you were fat I just said you had good hips, baby making hips." He gave her a wink and grabbed her feet, "If you keep up this abuse, I will be forced to punish you."
"You wouldn't!" shouted Levy, trying with all her might to pull her feet out of Gajeel's grasp. Gajeel's grin just grew larger as he began running his fingers lightly along the soles of her feet. "Gajeel stop!" she giggled, pulling with all her might. Instead of releasing her feet, she only managed to pull her upper body up towards him. Gajeel dropped her feet and grabbed her, pulling her into his lap.
He kissed her and smiled, "Don't you worry Shorty, you'll do fine. You might be tiny, but you're tough." Gajeel pushed a strand of hair behind her ear, "So no more freaking out okay?"
Levy smiled and wrapped her arms around him, burying her face into his shoulder, "'Kay." She smiled and burrowed herself in, enjoying the way he smelled and the feel of his strong arms around her.
After a few moments of peaceful silence, Gajeel asked,"Do you wanna get a house Levy?"
Levy's eye's widened in surprise, she pulled back to look him in the eye, "Really? Can we afford that?"
"Well, yea, I barely paid for anything living with Juvia, she insisted on covering everything. I've got a decent amount of savings."
Levy hugged him tightly, "Yea, I'd love to get a house with you!"
"We won't fit here for very long with a little one, and I'm certainly not asking Juvia to take us in. If we start looking now we'll be all settled before you get too big to move," Gajeel teased.
"Oh no! What if I do get too big to move!" Levy's eyes widened and she looked down at her still small belly.
"Then I'll just have to carry you Shorty, gihihi," Gajeel said. He ran his hand across her abdomen with a fond smile and then gave her a tender kiss.
Mira was not ready for this blind date at all, the last one had left a very bad taste in her mouth. If it weren't for the risk of hurting Juvia's feelings, she wouldn't have come at all. Of course, right before it was time to go, Juvia called her to remind her of how excited she was that the two of them were going out and saying she wanted an update immediately after. So there was no getting out of this.
Mira liked the restaurant he picked for lunch at least. It was small and locally owned, the atmosphere was light and casual. When she pulled up, she saw him leaned up against the front of the building waiting for her. Or at least she was pretty sure it was him, she couldn't think there could be two people who met Juvia's description. Tall, broad shouldered, heavily muscled, and long green hair that today was tied back.
Mira stepped out of her car and smiled with a wave as she approached him. "Hello, are you Orga?" she asked pleasantly.
He stood and seemed stupefied for a moment before replying, "Uhh yes, would you be Mira then?" When she smiled sweetly and nodded, a large grin grew on his face. "It's so nice to meet you finally, Juvia has been talking about you all week. Shall we go in and get a table?"
He opened the front door in a gentleman-like way so that she could go in ahead of him. "Thank you, yes, that sounds great." Walking into the restaurant, Mira breathed a sigh of relief, it looked like Juvia had good taste after all.
Lucy adjusted her dress after she climbed out of Natsu's truck. "Are you sure I look okay? I haven't seen Makarov since he set me up with the bakery."
Natsu came around to her side and gave her half a grin, "Is that who you're worried about impressing?" He reached forward and pulled her dress slightly so that it showed more cleavage. "There, perfect," he gave her a wink.
"Natsu!" Lucy exclaimed, as she readjusted the dress back the to where it was before.
"What? He's a dirty old man, he doesn't care what you're wearing," laughed Natsu.
"He is not!"
"Okay sorry, tiny dirty old man, you're right, I forgot that," Natsu gave her a full grin this time and pulled her close. He played with the hemline across her chest, "You know, come to think of it, this dress is making me feel like a dirty old man as well."
Lucy snorted and batted him away, but she couldn't hide her smile, "You are incorrigible!"
"I learned from the best!" he laughed, taking her hand and leading her towards the front door.
Makarov was opening it before they could knock, "Bout time you got here boy, we're all waiting on you!"
"Oi old man, it's not my fault, we had a wardrobe crisis," Natsu said, motioning towards Lucy.
"Way to throw me under the bus," Lucy grumbled.
"Oh is that all?" Makarov reached up on tippy toes to give Lucy a kiss on the cheek. "So good to see you again my dear, you look lovely. Not sure why your wasting time with this delinquent, he doesn't know how lucky he is."
"I know, I know," said Natsu, giving Lucy a gentle nudge on the back to push her into the house. "Now can we get going, I thought you said everyone was waiting for us!"
Everyone was sitting in the dining room. Erza and Jellal were whispering sweetly to each other, Gray looked bored, with his arm around the back of Juvia's chair while she chatted with Cana, and Laxus seemed very interested in his beer. Makarov took his seat at the head of the table, and after Lucy and Natsu found theirs, he motioned to Erza to start.
Erza stood and smiled, a blush on her face. "Thanks so much for coming, we wanted to let you all know first," she held up her left hand revealing her ring, "that Jellal and I are now engaged!"
Everyone cheered and there was a disgruntled "bout time" from Laxus, and a "she wasn't giving it up anymore huh?" from Cana. Makarov began to tear up, "All my brats are growing up!" He wiped his eye, "Alright let's dig in, this news calls for a celebration!" He opened a bottle of champagne and passed it around so that everyone could fill their glass. However, when it got to Cana, she barely poured more than a sip in her glass.
Natsu gave her a funny look, "Is that all you're having?"
Gray raised a brow, "Yea, are you sick or something?"
Cana scoffed, "I just need enough for toasts, I don't want to drink a lot tonight. Is that so wrong?"
"No, it's just weird," said Natsu, as he started loading his plate with a mountain of potatoes.
"Especially since it's free," added Gray.
"Alright that's enough, stop picking on Cana," Makarov rubbed his temples, "You brats might be older but some things never seem to change! So Erza, Jellal, do you have a date yet?"
"Not exactly, but we are thinking next spring," said Erza.
"A spring wedding, how beautiful! Juvia always wanted a spring wedding," gushed Juvia.
"Do you know where you want to have it?" asked Lucy.
Jellal leaned back in his seat, a content smile on his face, "We're thinking maybe at South Gate Park."
Lucy and Juvia both made aww sounds, Cana reached again for the champagne. Laxus gave her a look from the corner of his eye and she said, "Yea, there's no way I'm getting through tonight without it."
Laxus shrugged and took another sip of his beer.
"You know, both of you have been acting weird," said Natsu, narrowing his eyes. "You guys in cahoots or something?"
"What do you mean cahoots?" Cana raised an eyebrow and took a sip of the bubbly wine.
"I don't know, it just sounded right, Lucy what's cahoots," Natsu turned to her.
"Working together in secret," answered Lucy. She sighed, "You know, Cana, fill me up more too."
Natsu stopped the bottle before it got to her, "No way, I'm not dealing with a perverted cat tonight." He looked pensive for a moment, then changed his mind and sent the bottle Lucy's way, "On second thought, maybe that wouldn't be so bad."
Lucy's cheeks flushed bright red, "Natsu!" she said, a warning tone in her voice.
Natsu scooted closer and whispered in her ear, "What? You don't think it would be fun to make you purr later?" Her cheeks were the color of tomatoes at this point. Furious, she kicked him under the table. "Ow, point taken Luce." He grinned and gave her a kiss on the cheek, then went back to eating his food. Lucy noticed that Laxus was looking at them disapprovingly.
Lucy shook it off and attempted to bring the attention back where it should be, "So Erza, do you know what kind of wedding you want yet? Colors? Theme?"
The rest of the meal passed amicably. However, Lucy noticed that Laxus was even more quiet than usual. She was also relieved to see that his disapproving looks were not reserved just for her, but basically at any public display of affection at the table. The only people not getting those looks were Cana and Makarov. She wondered if anyone else noticed his discontent.
Once dinner was over, everyone settled in to chat, knowing that Makarov had dessert planned. Instead of joining, Laxus stood suddenly. "Sorry, I gotta get out of here," he said.
"Oh? Well I'm glad you were able to join us," said Makarov, raising his eyebrow at his grandson. "You sure you won't stay for cake?"
"Nah, I have some work I gotta get done," Laxus slightly tipped his head at Erza. "Congrats." Without another word he was out the front door. Everyone went back to their evening like it was nothing out of the usual, which made Lucy wonder if his behavior the whole evening had been in her head.
"Does Laxus not like me," Lucy asked Natsu in the car as they were pulling away.
"What? No? Laxus likes you . . .well as much as he likes anyone I guess," Natsu thought for a moment. "Well at least I know he doesn't dislike you, he more has a general indifference to most people. Why, did he say something?"
"No, he just kinda gave me the stink eye at dinner," Lucy explained.
Natsu laughed, "I think that's just his natural face."
"Okay, if you say so," Lucy frowned and looked out the window.
"He's been a little extra grumpy lately too," said Natsu, "maybe that's why he seemed unwelcoming to you tonight?"
"Why has he been extra grumpy?" asked Lucy.
"I don't know, it's been going on for about a month now," Natsu furrowed his brow in thought.
"You haven't asked? Aren't you guys like brothers?" Lucy raised an eyebrow.
"Ask Laxus? About feelings? That's like asking Erza to read her diary, he's not opening that book for anyone!" He gave her a serious look, "Also, you don't want to see what's in that diary either. Erza is messed up. Seriously, nightmares, couldn't look in the eyes for weeks!"
"Natsu be serious!" Lucy chastised. "Aren't you at all worried about him?"
"Not really," Natsu smiled at her deep sigh, "but I'm definitely curious now. Don't worry Miss Nosy, I'll ask." Natsu patted her knee, chuckling when she rolled her eyes, then grabbed her hand and held it the whole way home.
"So how do you know this guy again?" asked Gajeel. He waited for their realtor outside her apartment, arms crossed. The guy wasn't very late, but Levy really shouldn't have to stand this long, it annoyed him that there wasn't a bench out front of her apartment.
"Warren went to school with me, elementary all the way through high school." Levy grinned apologetically, "I should warn you, he's a little bit weird, but harmless. Apparently he's like a mind reader when it comes to houses though, he found Erza the perfect house in a week and she was extremely picky."
Thinking of the others in their group, Gajeel wondered what the hell Levy would consider weird. If she considered their group normal this guy must be one step out of the loony bin.
Finally a white SUV pulled up. A tall, thin man stepped out with a black hair that came to a strange point on the top of his head. He stepped up to them with a huge smile, folding Levy into an awkward hug. "Levy it's so great to see you! Wow still hot as ever!"
Gajeel raised a brow, "Huh?"
"It's nice to see you too!" said Levy, completely ignoring the compliment.
"And you must be Gajeel," he said, shaking Gajeel's hand, "Wow, you are a scary one! Okay shall we get going?" Without waiting for a reply he bounded for the driver's side door.
"What the hell?" Gajeel whispered to Levy.
Levy shrugged apologetically, "He's always been like that. It's like he has to say what he's thinking, he doesn't have a good filter."
Gajeel grumbled, but helped Levy into the back of the car, then pulled himself into the passenger seat. Warren started the car and pulled onto the road. "I really think this first one is going to be perfect for you guys. Levy said you don't mind a bit of a fixer upper right?"
"Well, that depends on what needs fixing. I don't mind cosmetic stuff, but major things like foundation issues I'm not really interested in dealing with. Wouldn't want that in a house I'm living in you know?" Gajeel explained.
"Hearing you loud and clear, this one is strictly cosmetic. It's an older home and the owners took good care of it, but absolutely terrible taste. I mean god awful. But if you're not afraid of taking down wallpaper and changing out light fixtures, this house is a real steal. It's a craftsman style bungalow over in the same neighborhood as Erza, just like you were hoping Levy," he looked back at her quickly with a grin before returning his eyes to the road. "Great schools, close to a fire station, and all the neighbors keep their houses in nice condition."
"That sounds wonderful," said Levy.
"Boy, I hope you still say that when we walk in," said Warren, a bright smile still on his face.
A few minutes later they pulled off the street, "Here we are!" said Warren cheerfully. The house was adorable with blue-gray siding, a small front porch, and freshly painted cream trim.
Gajeel noticed that the roof looked in great shape, all the shingles looked practically brand new. "When did they put the roof on?"
"About six month's ago right before they put it on the market," said Warren.
"This house has been on the market that long?" Gajeel couldn't believe it.
"Yea, like I said, you'll know why when you see the inside. The time on the market has made this baby priced to sell though," Warren motioned them to follow him. When they got on the porch he pulled the key from the lock box, and breathed deeply, "Really hope I was right about this one."
"What's that?" asked Gajeel.
"Oh did I say that out loud?" Warren looked confused, "Silly me, sorry. Okay here we go." He opened the front door and Levy's face dropped. There was dark floral wallpaper everywhere and it somehow managed to clash with the dark stained wood that filled every single room. The house was carpeted in a faded teal.
"Were the owner's colorblind?" said Levy, her face still screwed up in disgust.
Gajeel stepped in and looked past the wallpaper. He ran his hand along the thick wood trim, "Is this oak?"
Warren smiled, "Thank god, you get it. Yes! All of it."
"And they didn't paint any of it?" said Gajeel, moving over to run his hand along the large mantle over the fireplace.
"Nope," said Warren, a large grin on his face.
"Gajeel you can't be serious, this is terrible," said Levy looking up at the ridiculous gaudy chandelier that hung in the front room.
"What's under these floors?" Gajeel asked, stomping his boots.
"I'm pretty sure they are wood too, they are going to need a lot of cleaning up I'm sure, but the owners told me they just covered it all up. Didn't like it because it was cold," Warren said. "Seriously what a bunch of looneys"
"Let's look at the kitchen," said Gajeel.
The kitchen was also horrible. Teal vinyl floors with ivy print laminate counter tops, more gaudy wallpaper that clashed with the floors and the counters. A tiny sink and old cabinets that had chipping white paint.
"It's small, but I guess it would work for us," said Gajeel.
Levy didn't look convinced, "Why would someone put so many patterns in one place! Those cabinets are really terrible Gajeel."
"Don't worry, we don't cook that much anyway. I can have Salamander help me make some new ones that match the rest of the woodwork in the house." Gajeel wasn't pleased with the appliances, but they all seemed to be in working order, they would do until they could afford to replace them.
They saw the dining room with it's terrible fixtures, two small but comfortable bedrooms, and a bathroom with all green tile and a green toilet. Everything had terrible wallpaper and outlandish light fixtures. Finally, they went up the stairs to see the master.
After being unimpressed with the downstairs, Levy seemed a little depressed about their little adventure in the house. As soon as Gajeel saw the master though, he knew why Warren picked this for them. The large window over looking the backyard had a massive window seat below it. On both sides of the window were massive built-in bookshelves. Gajeel stepped out to the side and enjoyed the way her face lit up when she saw it, chuckling lightly when she ran forward to throw her tiny self up on it and look out the window. She wasn't even thrown by the awful wallpaper up here, which he was pretty sure was full of jungle animals, or the mirror the other couple had secured to the ceiling, which Gajeel didn't even want to think about.
"Oooh the back yard is so pretty!" said Levy.
"Yes, isn't it? They have two very mature lilac bushes and a nice cherry blossom tree. All of those won't require too much care and they bloom so nicely. Do you want to go get a closer look?" ask Warren.
Levy hopped up from the bench with a wide grin on her face, "Yes please!" and Gajeel knew this was going to be their home.
Natsu was so happy to finally get a break and have a bite to eat. He looked out the back door and noticed Laxus sitting on the steps of the back porch. Natsu took his sandwich out and sat down next to Laxus. He took a large bite and asked, "So what's going on with you man?"
"Don't know what you mean," said Laxus, his face noncommittal.
"You know exactly what he means," said Gray, leaning up against the side of the house.
"So what, you guys ganging up on me now?" Laxus frowned.
"I guess, but only because you've been a dick lately," Natsu took another bite.
"A major dick," said Gray. "This has to do with Mira doesn't it?"
"Why would this have to do with Mira?" asked Natsu, while at the same time Laxus said, "Yea."
"Jeez Natsu, you really are an idiot. Why else would Laxus let you plan the job at Fairy Tail?" said Gray, covering his eyes with his hand and shaking his head.
"Because I'm awesome, obviously," said Natsu.
Gray walked over and sat down on the step next to Natsu. He turned to Laxus, "Did you guys have a thing going or something?"
Laxus didn't look at him, "Yea."
"What with Mira!" Natsu's eyes grew wide.
"What you think I can't get someone like Mira?" Laxus growled.
"So what happened?" asked Gray.
"She wanted to be more of couple, have like dates and stuff," said Laxus, showing his discomfort by scratching his neck.
"What's wrong with that?" asked Natsu.
"I don't do that kinda stuff," snapped Laxus.
Natsu continued on through his large mouthful, "Why not? Hell you already spent most of your time with her anyway, what's wrong with being with just her? Do you have to have one of your band mates with you everywhere?"
"Flame turd, stop talking with your mouth full! You got crap on my shirt man, gross," Gray scrunched up his nose and wiped off his sleeve. "But really the idiot has a point, most of the time I see you you're with Mira anyway. Would it be so bad to take one night away from your boyfriend Freed to hang out with her?"
"Look just because all of a sudden you dumbshit's are comfortable making out in public, doesn't mean that everybody else has got to be that way. I'm not a PDA kinda guy," sneered Laxus.
Natsu snorted with laughter and practically choked on the bite in his mouth. "Yea, I'm pretty sure Mirajane has known you long enough not to expect anything like that from you."
Laxus rolled his eyes, "Yea, but you know Mira, first it's dates, then it's marriage, then she's wanting to have a millions brats running around!"
"Not really seeing your point here," said Gray.
"Yea, what's wrong with marrying Mira? You too good for Mira?" Natsu said accusingly.
Laxus gave a frustrated sigh, "No, don't put damn words in my mouth. I'm just not a family man kinda guy, I can't be a dad. You know that, you remember my pops don't you?"
"If you were married to Mira you wouldn't have to be super-dad, you would just have to show up. She's already like everyone's mom, she'd make the best mom ever," Natsu licked what remained of his lunch off his fingers.
"Mira deserves better than just someone who's going to show up," said Laxus, pulling himself to his feet.
"If you care enough to know that, why can't you be the guy who does more than show up?" asked Gray.
"I'm tired of this subject, I'm getting back to work," Laxus disappeared into the house.
"Well that's more than we usually get out of him," said Natsu, standing up and stretching his arms over his head. Gray just grunted in agreement. The two followed Laxus's lead and headed back into the house.
A week later, the guys started work making Mira's restaurant dreams come true. Just two days in and Laxus couldn't take it anymore, he had to go make sure it was done right. Natsu had promised him that Mira was on a date that night and she wouldn't be by, so Laxus went over to start updating all the lighting. He had to admit the guys had done a good job, all the walls were redone and painted, Natsu was almost done with the construction of the booths and would soon be able to get the new floors in. Laxus was going to put in all the recessed lights and the light boxes for the new fixtures. He could at least trust the guys to hang light fixtures properly.
He was three-quarters of the way done when the door opened and he heard someone come up behind him. Laxus froze, it was the middle of the night and the guys had left hours ago. There was no way they would come back this late. Which meant it could be only one other person. "I thought you had a date," he said. He didn't turn around, but went right back to working with the wires in the ceiling.
"I did," she responded.
It had been so long since he had heard her voice, he didn't even realize how much he missed it. Laxus took a deep breath. He tried hard to ignore his feelings and concentrate on the job he was there to do.
Mira walked around him so that she could look up at his face, "I just wanted to see the progress, it's just so exciting you know." Laxus looked down at her pretty smile and swallowed deeply.
"If you keep coming it won't feel like a surprise when it's done," he attempted to tease.
"I didn't realize you would be helping, it's been so long since I've been able to see you," Mira said, a sly smile on her face.
"I've been busy," said Laxus. Trying to ignore the way his body hummed with awareness of her, Laxus started screwing screws into the box to attach it to the ceiling.
"I heard," Mira walked away and ran her hand over the booth Natsu had finished earlier that day.
Laxus stepped down his ladder and pulled it back together. Lifting it easily, he moved to the place where the next fixture was supposed to go. He could do this, he could be a normal human being with her. He owed it to her and his friends, he had to get his act together. "I hate the light fixtures you picked, they'll look stupid in here."
"Oh? Well you know, usually I have someone to bounce ideas against before I make decisions like that," she said and Laxus flinched at her dig. Thinking his pathetic attempt at conversation was a failure, he was surprised when she continued, "Could you find me something better then?"
He looked over at her, relieved to see her face turned up in small half grin. "Yea, I could give you a few options."
"I would like that," she smiled a full smile this time.
Laxus turned his back to her and climbed up the ladder, "So things going well with this new guy?" Laxus was grateful to not have to look at her and to have the wires in the ceiling to focus on. It was a question he didn't really want the answer to, but he knew the idea of Mira being with someone else was just something he would have to get used to if he was going to return to being her friend.
She hesitated at first, giving a quick breath in in surprise at his question. "Umm, well, yes. I suppose it's going pretty well."
"Then why are you back here now?" asked Laxus, pleased that he could sound normal when he teased her. Even if the idea of her with someone else was tearing him up inside.
"Laxus!" Mira said shocked, "What kind of girl do you take me for? This was only the third date! You should know me better than that."
Relief poured through Laxus's body, though he felt a little bit frustrated. Why did it have to please him so much that the other guy hadn't slept with her yet? Another deep breath and he looked at her, giving her a half grin, "You're right Mira, I should know better." He could do this, he just had to take it one step at a time.